Tree Stump Removal VS Stump Grinding - Which Is Best?
A tree stump from a large tree with its roots intact sits on a property with woods in the background.
Let’s face it, tree stumps are ugly. No one enjoys having a tree stump sitting there in the yard. In fact, once the tree has been removed, you’re probably wondering how to remove the stump in your yard. The thing is, getting rid of a stump can be a lot of work.
You’ve got two main options for getting rid of an unwanted tree stump.
Stump removal (two methods)
Stump grinding
They are not the same process, even though the goal is basically the same, to get rid of that hideous thing in your yard and make it look beautiful again.
In this post, let’s go over the difference between stump grinding vs. stump removal. They are different tree services, even though they may sound basically the same when you first hear the terms.
We’ll talk about:
What is tree stump removal?
Why should you remove a tree stump?
What are the pros and cons of the main two types of tree stump removal?
What does tree stump removal cost?
What is tree stump grinding?
What are the pros and cons of tree stump grinding?
What does tree stump grinding cost?
Is it cheaper to grind or remove a stump?
Alternatives to tree stump removal or tree stump grinding
We’ll give you the information you need to decide which service is best for your situation.
Need tree stump removal near you or stump grinding in the Columbia, SC area? We can help.
At Boots On Enterprises, we provide all kinds of professional tree services including tree and stump removal services and stump grinding services.
For a FREE ESTIMATE, contact us today!
Phone: 803-521-4978
Email: bootsonenterprises@gmail.com
A tree stump removal service is removing a tree stump and roots with an excavator.
What is the stump of a tree?
First things first. A tree stump is the bottom portion of the tree trunk that sits both above and below ground after a tree is removed. It’s the very thickest part of the tree. From the stump, all the roots of the tree fan out in every direction underground.
What is tree stump removal?
Tree stump removal generally involves taking away the stump in one of two primary ways.
Dig the tree stump out
This involves extracting the stump and large roots from the ground. Removing a tree stump is quite involved. Especially the bigger the tree was. To remove a tree stump generally involves large machinery like an excavator.
Use chemical stump killers
Wondering how to remove tree stumps without heavy machinery tearing up your entire yard? There is another option, and that is tree stump treatments. These chemicals — like glyphosate, picloram, triclopyr, potassium nitrate, and others — help to kill a live stump or speed up the decay of a dead one.
An old tree stump covered with moss and fungus.
Why remove tree stumps?
If you are wondering, “Should I remove my tree stumps?” Here are the biggest reasons why people choose to get rid of tree stumps in their yards.
Stumps are:
Unsightly.
Tripping hazards.
Difficult to mow around.
Likely to grow new sprouts if still alive.
Magnets for insects and disease.
What happens if you don’t remove a tree stump?
As the stump and root systems rot, fungi and mold will grow that may spread to other trees and shrubs in your yard. And sometimes, these fungal infections can be dangerous for your pets or your family.
They also attract termites that could eventually affect your home once they spread out from the stump. With termites causing billions of dollars in damage to people’s homes each year, that is a risk you may not want to take.
When you want to sell your property, a tree stump takes away from curb appeal and property value. It can be a turn-off to potential buyers.
If the stump is pretty low to the ground, you may accidentally end up breaking mower blades on it. Or, it could become a liability if people don’t see it and end up falling when they walk across your yard.
Stump killer plugs are inserted into a freshly cut tree stump in a yard.
What are the pros and cons of the two main types of tree stump removal?
Tree stump removal methods each have their advantages and disadvantages.
Pros and cons of tree stump chemical removal
This method is not the most popular, but it does have a few advantages.
Tree stump removal chemicals have some advantages.
Least labor-intensive tree stump removal.
Inexpensive.
But removing tree stumps chemically also has its downsides.
The chemicals can kill other plants, like your grass, flowers, or surrounding shrubs. Some types may also be toxic for pets or children. (Always check the safety sheets before using chemicals.)
It’s slow. It can take weeks, months — even up to a year — to rot the stump.
Requires some tools like a chainsaw, drill, and ax..
The chemical application process may have to be repeated before the stump is soft enough to dig up.
An excavator removes a tree stump from the ground by pulling it out.
Pros and cons of digging up a stump to remove it
Digging up a stump has advantages and disadvantages like everything else.
The advantages of digging a stump up include:
It’s a relatively quick process, done in a few hours, generally.
The stump will truly be gone with no remnant of the stump and large roots.
There won’t be new shoots to deal with later.
Disadvantages of tree stumps being removed by digging include:
This is usually a fairly dangerous and difficult job.
For larger trees, there is a higher cost of tree stump removal by this method than others.
It can involve tearing up a lot of your lawn if you need to have a big tree stump and root removal operation.
It often requires very heavy machinery and a lot of effort.
Is tree stump removal necessary or is stump grinding a better option?
As we have mentioned, “stump removal” is not the only option to get those troublesome stumps out of your yard. You could also consider grinding your tree stumps to get rid of them, which we will discuss below.
A newly felled tree with a large tree stump ready for removal.
How much does tree stump removal cost?
The average cost to remove tree stumps (by professional tree service companies) in America, according to Homeguide.com, is about $283 with a range of $161 to $355 for a single stump.
(Farther down, we’ll look at stump grinding costs.)
The cost to remove a tree stump involves many factors.
How large the tree is.
How many stumps you want to remove. (You’ll often get a discount per stump if you remove more at one time.)
Whether you are also having the tree removed at the same time.
Whether you are having additional landscaping or other services done.
What equipment needs to be used.
Which method of removal you choose.
How difficult it is to access the stump.
The type of stump.
How long ago the tree was removed/cut from the stump.
Whether there are structures nearby.
Whether the site is in the tree stump removal company’s regular service area.
Whether the stump is still very hard or is already mostly rotten.
The size of the roots.
Whether permits are needed.
The soil condition.
How high the stump is.
Whether you want cleanup and hauling the debris away.
Current fuel costs.
The area of the country you live in.
Essentially, the more difficult the job, the more expensive the equipment needed, the longer it takes, the more it costs. Like with anything else, really.
To know the exact price of stump removal, find a reputable stump removal service that will give you a free estimate. Then you can compare methods and have a clear idea of pricing before making a final decision.
Chemical tree stump removal cost
If you know what you are doing with chemical tree stump removers, you may be able to take care of your stump removal yourself for around $30, not including your time, labor, and the tools you’ll need to cut up and dig up the stump once it has softened and rotted.
If you don’t want to attempt using chemical tree killers yourself, check with a trusted stump removal specialist about it.
You can expect to pay a professional about $150-$175 per stump, depending on the size and other factors. And it will generally take 8-10 weeks to complete the process.
A stump grinder at work grinding up a large tree stump in a dirt yard near a wood fence.
What is stump grinding?
Stump grinding involves using a machine called a stump grinder. The stump is chopped up into tiny pieces that are easy to remove.
What is a stump grinder?
A stump grinder, shown above, is a powerful machine with caterpillar wheels and a motorized arm that has a spinning circular saw blade on the end. It is used to shred a tree stump into small chips and fibers.
Why grind a tree stump? Pros and cons:
Tree stump grinding has its own advantages and disadvantages.
The advantages of stump grinding as a way to get rid of a tree stump include:
It’s fast and efficient.
The rest of the yard remains intact.
Wood chips can be used for mulch.
It’s environmentally friendly.
Usually less expensive than digging up a tree stump.
The disadvantages of tree stump grinding are:
The roots remain and it’s possible that sprouts could grow if the roots are not removed/killed.
It’s a lot of very hard work if you try to do it yourself.
Stump grinders can be difficult and dangerous to use for those who are inexperienced.
You have to have a stump grinder on hand.
A close-up view of a tree stump grinder shredding a tree stump into mulch.
How much does stump grinding cost?
According to Homeguide.com, the national average cost to grind a stump is $160 for the first one (with a range of $100-$350) and $30-$50 per stump after that.
You’ll generally pay per stump or per inch of diameter. And many tree stump removal companies have a minimum charge to come to the house for a job. You may also pay by the hour. Especially for root removal or for multiple stumps being removed.
Factors affecting the price of stump grinding include
How tall the stump is.
What condition it’s in - already rotten or very hard.
How close other structures may be.
How large the stump is.
How accessible the stump is to machinery.
Whether there are a lot of rocks or other debris around the stump.
Whether you need root removal services, as well.
If you need the wood chips hauled off or need it spread as mulch in your yard.
How deeply the stump needs to be ground down.
Any special machinery needed.
If your location is outside of the company’s usual service area.
What type of wood the stump is.
How sloped or difficult the terrain is.
Current fuel costs.
(And many of the factors we listed above under stump removal costs apply here, as well.)
Is it cheaper to grind or remove a stump?
Grinding a stump is generally less expensive than removing it. Stump removal often requires much heavier equipment and involves more labor and time.
A hollowed-out old tree stump in a grassy yard that has been neglected for a long time.
Alternatives to tree stump removal or tree stump grinding:
There are other options for handling tree stumps like:
Involving the stump in your landscaping in some creative way.
Composting the dead stump.
Using natural stump killer like vinegar and Epsom salt.
Burning a tree stump - but this is not legal in some areas and can be dangerous.
Keep in mind that you may be dealing with diseases or insects if you try to keep the old stump.
Ready to look into stump grinding near you in the Columbia, SC area?
Boots On Services is a stump removal and stump grinding service near you in Lexington and Richland Counties in South Carolina. Why not trust this difficult job to the pros? Keep yourself from experiencing an injury and let a bonded and insured company do all the back-breaking work for you.
We can handle your tree service needs including tree trimming, tree cutting, removing trees, tree roots, stumps, and stump grinding. We also offer emergency tree services.
Please contact us today for a FREE ESTIMATE.
Phone: 803-521-4978
Email: bootsonenterprises@gmail.com
